Healthy Aging Sex After Age 70 Is Increasing By Mark Stibich, PhD twitter linkedin Mark Stibich, PhD, FIDSA, is a behavior change expert with experience helping individuals make lasting lifestyle improvements. Learn about our editorial process Mark Stibich, PhD Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Jenny Sweigard, MD on January 15, 2020 linkedin Jenny Sweigard, MD, is a board-certified physician involved in patient care, including general medicine and critical care medicine. Learn about our Medical Review Board Jenny Sweigard, MD Updated on February 16, 2021 Print Is sex for older adults just as common, and just as satisfying, as it is for younger adults? In the past, not much research in this area existed. People assumed that, as people got older, sex became a thing of the past. Now, we know that people aged 70 and beyond are reporting having active, fulfilling sex lives. Mark Bowden / Vetta / Getty Images Research on Sex After Age 70 Since 1970, researchers in Sweden have been surveying people over the age of 70 about their sex lives. One very interesting thing about the Swedish study is that we can compare this data from the 1970s to data from 2000-2001. That study found that in 1971, only 52 percent of married men aged 70 and up reported that they were still sexually active. In 2000 to 2001, that figure increased to 68 percent. Similarly, just 38 percent of married women over the age of 70 reported being sexually active in 1971, compared to 56 percent quoted in the 2000 to 2001 time frame. For unmarried older adults, the study found a similar increase in reported instances of sexual activity. Thirty percent of single men and less than 1 percent of single women reported being sexually active in the context of that 1971 study. In 2001 to 2001, 54 percent of single men and 12 percent of single women reported that they are still having sex. Sexual Activity Age 70 and Over Married men: 68%Married women: 56%Unmarried men: 54%Unmarried women: 12% A Dutch study published in 2017 surveyed rates of sexual activity in dementia-free, community-dwelling individuals. Of those who had partners, 49.5% of the men and 40.4% of the women reported sexual activity in the past six months. The time frame surveyed was from 2009 through 2012. Rates were far lower for women without partners (1.3%) or men without partners (13.7%). How Much Sex Are They Really Having? Older adults are having more sex than you might think. Of all the sexually active older adults in the Swedish study, 25 percent reported having sex at least once a week in the group surveyed in 2000 to 2001, compared with 10 percent in the 1970s. Not only that, but at least half of the men and women said their relationships were “very happy.” What Is a Healthy Amount of Sex? Which Older Adults Are the Most Sexually Active? A further review of the data found these factors were most associated with being sexually active at age 70: Positive attitude toward sexualityBeing married or cohabitatingHaving a very happy relationshipHaving a partner who was physically and mentally healthyGood physical and mental healthGetting good sleepDrinking alcohol more than three times per week At age 70, the study found people were less likely to be still sexually active if their partner was older or if they had diabetes, coronary heart disease, or depression. Why Are Older Adults Having More Sex? Possible explanations for the trend include: People are living longer and are healthier. The average 70-year-old today is healthier than the average 70-year-old in 1970 and has a longer life expectancy.Sexual dysfunctions are readily treated. Men have access to a number of medications (like Viagra) to treat erectile dysfunction.The culture has changed. The expectations of older adults are different from what they were in the 1970s. A Word From Verywell You have a better chance than ever to enjoy sex long into your older years. Sex doesn't end at age 70, and the majority of those who reach that age in good health and in a relationship continue to have sex. Attitudes towards sex have changed over the past decades, and more people are entering older age expecting to continue to enjoy sex. What Can You Expect From Your Sex Life as You Age? Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Delamater J. Sexual expression in later life: a review and synthesis. J Sex Res. 2012;49(2-3):125-41. doi:10.1080/00224499.2011.603168 Beckman N, Waern M, Gustafson D, Skoog I. Secular trends in self reported sexual activity and satisfaction in Swedish 70 year olds: cross sectional survey of four populations, 1971-2001. BMJ. 2008;337(jul08 3). doi:10.1136/bmj.a279 Freak-Poli R, Kirkman M, De Castro Lima G, Direk N, Franco OH, Tiemeier H. Sexual activity and physical tenderness in older adults: cross-sectional prevalence and associated characteristics. J Sex Med. 2017 Jul;14(7):918-927. doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2017.05.010 Beckman N, Waern M, Östling S, Sundh V, Skoog I. Determinants of sexual activity in four birth cohorts of Swedish 70‐year‐olds examined 1971–2001. The Journal of Sexual Medicine. 2014;11(2):401-410. doi:10.1111/jsm.12381 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. QuickStats: Life expectancy at birth, by year --- United States, 1970--2003. Published April 14, 2005.